New to Ball Pythons

I keep a can (or two) around all the time and I use it on any new enclosure I put together as a preventative measure. In other words, I treat each new cage with a dose of PAM (Provent-A-Mite) to prevent/kill any mites from the start.

When using it, though, you have to follow the directions very closely. It's quite toxic if used wrong.
And yes, most mite sprays in pet stores aren't worth the plastic bottle they come in. I only have a bottle of Jurrasi-Mite on hand for use on the snakes themselves as a temp relief, since you CANNOT use PAM on any part of the animal.

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Originally Posted by Argentra

I keep a can (or two) around all the time and I use it on any new enclosure I put together as a preventative measure. In other words, I treat each new cage with a dose of PAM (Provent-A-Mite) to prevent/kill any mites from the start.

When using it, though, you have to follow the directions very closely. It's quite toxic if used wrong.
And yes, most mite sprays in pet stores aren't worth the plastic bottle they come in. I only have a bottle of Jurrasi-Mite on hand for use on the snakes themselves as a temp relief, since you CANNOT use PAM on any part of the animal.

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Then I should probably pick up a can. Do I have to order it online?

Most likely but not certainly. I get mine at my nearby reptile store, with a secret discount so I can afford it. ;) It would probably be cheaper to order it online. There's a site that everyone uses, but I don't know it. :oops:

Maybe someone will chime in.

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Originally Posted by Johnny Hive X

I also read elsewhere that astro-turf works as a decent substrate. Has anyone tried this?

I really would like to feed it live food - it just looks so much cooler, but I definitely don't want my snake being hurt.

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Well not sure some one already commented on this cuz I havnt read all the posts.

I feed my ball python live and also put him in another tank when feeding time comes. I have only really had him for maybe 3-4 months but he has never been bitin. I would just simply watch him if you feed him live don't leave him alone with his food. Putting him in another tank never seems to stress him out at all I always get excellent feeding responses from him. I guess it just depends on your snake.
I also keep my snake in a tank 20 gallon turanium (not that I can spell that lol) I use aspen snake bedding. I like the looks of a tank better then a tub. I really want people to see him when they come over to my house and that is just more eye catchy :)

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Originally Posted by Argentra

I keep a can (or two) around all the time and I use it on any new enclosure I put together as a preventative measure. In other words, I treat each new cage with a dose of PAM (Provent-A-Mite) to prevent/kill any mites from the start.

When using it, though, you have to follow the directions very closely. It's quite toxic if used wrong.
And yes, most mite sprays in pet stores aren't worth the plastic bottle they come in. I only have a bottle of Jurrasi-Mite on hand for use on the snakes themselves as a temp relief, since you CANNOT use PAM on any part of the animal.

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Yup- me too! I always have PAM in my snakey first aid kit :D
I also keep instant warmers for when the electricity goes out and for vet trips, extra parts for my t'stats, money for vet bills, socks (to put warmers in), extra t'stat, and...jeez, I should look in the box- I've forgotten what all I have in there!! :P

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Originally Posted by starmom

Yup- me too! I always have PAM in my snakey first aid kit :D
I also keep instant warmers for when the electricity goes out and for vet trips, extra parts for my t'stats, money for vet bills, socks (to put warmers in), extra t'stat, and...jeez, I should look in the box- I've forgotten what all I have in there!! :P

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You know I never thought of instant warmers for power outages I should def get that for my snakey first aid kit aswell. :D What an excellent Idea!

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Originally Posted by Siarah

You know I never thought of instant warmers for power outages I should def get that for my snakey first aid kit aswell. :D What an excellent Idea!

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Just make sure you put them into tube socks so that the snakes don't get burned. Also, check how many hours they are rated for. I have short hour one's that get hot instantly and last until my 60 hour warmers kick in :)

Hehe...same here. I have tubs full of extra gear, from a big stack of the instant warmers (this IS Colorado) to spare t-stats and rheostats, to a box full of digital thermometers and low watt bulbs. :) I even have spare plastic greenery and branches.

As it is, I have too much extra stuff and have been trying to sell off some of it. :oops:

As for different types of aspen, you can also get what is called Sani-chips. It's Aspen, but it's in small chips and it is not dusty.

I used it for a while, but I found that my snakes would always get chips in the water bowl, making a mess. I also found that it tended to get all over my snake room...if I'd had a wet/dry vacuum it wouldn't have bothered me as much.

I went back to newspaper.

Heh, yeah... since I use aspen for my rodents as well as my snakes it gets ALL OVER the apartment. We know it's time to vacuum when we find it in places like the bathroom and kitchen. :oops: Still, after many substrate trials I like it better than any other. I don't like using just paper because I have corn snakes that live to burrow. :)